The Baltimore Ravens have entered Week 11 as one of the best scoring defenses in the NFL leading the team to a division best 8-3 record. The offense behind Lamar Jackson exhibits a strong rushing attack but question that the entire country is asking is whether or not this defense is for real.
Raven’s Strength of Schedule
While the Raven’s have displayed some strong victories, a major question can be made as to the level of competition they have faced to this point. As of today, the list of quarterbacks that the Ravens have faced include C.J. Stroud in his NFL debut, a injury hampered Joe Burrow, Gardner Minshew, backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Kenny Pickett, Ryan Tannehill, Jared Goff, Joshua Dobbs, Geno Smith, an injured Deshaun Watson and an injured Joe Burrow.
The most impressive wins the Ravens have taken this season include a 28-3 win over the Cleveland Browns, a 38-6 win over the Detroit Lions and a 37-3 win over the Seattle Seahawks. The Cleveland Browns were reeling after injuries to both starting quarterback (Deshaun Watson) and star running back (Nick Chubb) and the Lions and Seahawks are both struggling offenses that haven’t been able to maintain much consistency this season.
Lack of Defensive Star Power in Baltimore
When you think of star defenses in the NFL, one generally thinks of teams with elite players. This would include the Pittsburgh Steelers with T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick, the New York Jets with Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner or the San Francisco 49ers with Nick Bosa and Fred Warner.
The Ravens team is limited to elite off ball linebacker Roquan Smith and above average player Kyle Hamilton. Other players on this Ravens team include aging defensive backs Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Williams, aging pass rushers Jadaveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy and a defensive line without star power. NFL Teams without elite pass rushers typically aren’t considered elite.
The Baltimore Ravens Defense has elite linebacker Raquan Smith but has too few proven superstars to be considered among the best defenses in the NFL.